Fairytales, child development and psychotherapy: A study documenting parents' perspectives on the use and function of fairytales with children in Malta

Contemporary trends in the practice of child psychotherapy point towards a better understanding of the uses and functions of storytelling and narrative. Historically, stories were created in order to account for natural phenomena, in a manner which both soothes children and stimulates their developing imagination. Early on in life, children use symbolism and metaphors in ways that help explain their affinity to fairytales. The evolution of fairytales and their use over time indicates their effectiveness as enhancers of emotional and social development in children. The use of storytelling in child psychotherapy is well documented in the literature. Limited reports, however, exist on the clinical significance of fairytales, rendering their use in child psychotherapy vague and undefined.;On the small island of Malta, parents are considered as key contributors to effective therapeutic outcome in the treatment of childhood mental health problems. Psychodynamic and Jungian concepts are revisited in order to explore the clinical implications of fairytales in Malta. The Maltese parents' perceptions regarding the uses and functions of fairytales with their children is a springboard for the arguments that support the proposed introduction of fairytale narrative practices in local child guidance clinics.